Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga (center) celebrates with Kevin Kimani (right) and Anthony Akumu (left).PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, December 22 – It has been another 12 months jam-packed with raw emotion, thrills and spills in Kenyan football sullied by another embarrassing early exit of Harambee Stars in the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa pre-qualifiers.

However, amid the disappointment, local giants Gor Mahia once again hogged the limelight as they not only went on to complete three-peat success in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) but crowned it unbeaten to emulate the venerated class of 1976.

Bandari’s surprising GOtv Shield win for their maiden domestic title aptly wrapped up the season that saw the most qualified coach in East Africa; Francis Kimanzi unceremoniously ‘stepping aside’ from Tusker FC as fellow titans AFC Leopards; endured a nightmare season that saw them fall from title challengers to mid table mediocrity.

Serial escapologists, Nairobi City Stars used up another of the proverbial nine lives to survive the SPL chop in a dramatic conclusion to the season at the expense of KCB who bade the top flight goodbye after an uninterrupted nine-year stay.

Stars captain and English Premier League side Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama had a brilliant year that saw him become the first East African to captain the Saints when he steered his side to a 2-1 Capital One Cup win against Aston Villa.

‘Big Vic’ as he is fondly known to his team-mates scooped the President’s Choice award at Southampton for the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League season in May.

The current Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regime produced another master class in ineptitude and mismanagement to rival any other since they came to power in 2011.

Federation president Sam Nyamweya became embroiled in corruption scandal that saw him grilled by the Criminal Investigation Department over the delay of Stars departure to Cape Verde after a back-breaking 22-hour flight.

 -World Cup fail –

Kenya failed to make it to the group stages of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 1994 after highly ranked side Cape Verde eliminated them 2-1 on aggregate in the second round of the pre- qualifiers.

Stars started well, knocking out minnows Mauritius 5-2 on aggregate, their biggest away win in the first round, to book a date with Cape Verde who were ranked 93 places above them.

Bobby Williamson’s charges stunned the Islanders 1-0 in the first leg courtesy of a Michael Olunga header, but things fell apart when FKF and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture officials traded accusation over the infamous trip that saw the weary team land in Praia only three hours before kick-off.

The home leg win saw Kenya shoot up 27 places to 98th in the FIFA World Rankings and 25th in Africa to break into the top 100 for the first time since Nyamweya took over as president in 2011.

Nyamweya was summoned by CID officers and top ministry officials grilled after it emerged Sh17m had been wired to the federation to pay for allowances and travel three days before the scheduled travel for the return leg.

Stars qualification quest for their first Africa Cup of Nations finals showing since 2004 is in limbo as they await a first victory in the qualifiers for the 2017 edition.

They began on a bright note, holding Congo Brazzaville 1-1 away but slipped in the second match when they threw away a 1-0 lead to go down 2-1 at home to Zambia.

The loss was blamed on indiscipline in the squad after some players were accused of taking part in an orgy and sneaking alcohol to the team hotel adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium.

FKF consequently suspended then reinstated Tusker FC duo Jesse Were and Danson Kago following the public backlash over the incident with the team sitting third in Group E with a point ahead of Guinea Bissau on goal difference.

Stars travel to Guinea Bissau in March, a game they must win to revive their dreams.

-Cecafa horror-

Nyamweya and his administration failed to learn lessons when the Government remitted Sh3.5m to settle allowances of the team that did duty at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

In Ethiopia, players once again threatened to boycott their last preliminary match against Zanzibar where they ended up being shamed 3-1 by the islanders, before being bundled out of the tournament by Rwanda 5-3 on post match penalties to surrender the regional title.

The FKF circus sunk deeper after Team Manager; Willis Waliaula was detained in Addis Ababa for unpaid bills, only for the Ministry to come to his rescue.

Waliaula, who replaced former Stars midfielder, Simeone Mulama who had quit in April threw in the towel just four months after his appointment.

Earlier, Kenya were tossed out of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) by Ethiopia 2-0 on aggregate to prolong their wait for a maiden appearance at the continental showpiece open to local players.

The competition which will be on its fourth edition will be held closer home in Rwanda from January 16 – February 7 with Kenya lined-up as the next hosts.

Kenya’s attempts to qualify for this year’s All Africa Games and 2016 Olympics Games also went up in smoke after the Under-23 side failed to go past the first round.

In April, their hopes of making the Pan African Games held in Congo Brazzaville were snuffed out by Egypt who thrashed them 4-1 over two legs.

At the Olympics African qualifiers, it was Botswana who sent Stars home on the away goals rule after their two-legged cliff-hanger clash ended 4-4 aggregate.

Kenya lost 3-0 away in Lobaste after arriving there short of time due to bungled travel plans before Olunga netted his first international hat-trick to inspire his side to a 4-1 victory in the return leg hosted at Nyayo.

-Brave Starlets-

Harambee Starlets players during a sit in at the South African High Commission in Nairobi on July 15. PHOTO/Twitter

Even though they bowed out of the Africa Olympics qualifiers, the women’s national team Harambee Starlets deserve standing ovation after they reached the third round despite the difficulties they went through, the furthest a Kenyan team has reached.

After sleeping on the changing rooms’ floor at Kasarani Stadium, Starlets edged out Botswana on the away goal rule in the second round after a 2-2 aggregate with Dorcas Shikobe’s late strike saving the day for Kenya in the return leg in Machakos.

In the third round, Starlets were paired with African giants South Africa but they gave the fancied Banyan Banyana a run of their money despite being stranded at the South African High Commission with Visa troubles to arrive for the away first leg tie on match day and duly lost 1-0.

The South Africans repeated the same score line in the return to advance to the final round of the qualifiers.

It was the only major competition they would play after FKF failed to enter the team for the All Africa Games qualifiers.

The post Inept FKF crushed Stars, Starlets dreams appeared first on Capital Sports.

Gor Mahia striker, Michael Olunga, in action against Azam during the Cecafa Kagame Cup final in Dar on Sunday. PHOTO/Citizen TV

NAIROBI, December 23- In what is becoming a hallmark of Kenyan football, the country’s best sides of the 2014 season failed to make an impact in the table of continental club football.

Simply, what we crown as the best in the land cannot hold candle when faced with the challenge from outside the borders in another indictment of the plummeting standards of the local game.

League champions, Gor Mahia and Sofapaka FC who lifted the 2014 GOtv Shield carried Kenya’s torch in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup but made little head way after they were tossed out of competition before reaching the second phase.

Gor narrowly edged out Madagascar side CNaPS Sport in the first stage to progress on the away goal rule courtesy of George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo’s 88th minute strike in the return leg after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

K’Ogalo’s dreams of reaching the lucrative group stages for the first time since 1992 were cut short by Congolese side, AC Leopards who beat them 2-0 on aggregate in the first round.

Sofapaka, who made the play-off round of the 2011 Confederation Cup bowed out in the preliminary round 4-2 on aggregate to Zimbabwe’s FC platinum.

Local clubs have cited financial constraints as the chief reason they cannot compete with their well heeled counterparts in the continent with Gor and Sofapaka cash woes in the past season well documented.

Others have argued lack of quality in the SportPesa Premier League is to blame with monies generated from their television deal and other sponsors being diverted more to administration than the clubs.

On the regional front, Gor returned to the Cecafa Kagame Cup Club championships after a humiliating first round exit in 2014 and for the first time since 1985, they reached the final where they were vanquished by monied home team, Azam FC 2-0.

Their journey to Tanzania saw K’Ogalo and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) bicker over who was to cater for air tickets with Gor management threatening to withdraw from the annual affair.

“The federation had agreed to pay air tickets for us to travel on Thursday but they have told us they don’t have money. It’s impossible for us to travel since had they told us earlier, we would have conducted a fundraising,” Gor chairman, Ambrose Rachier said on July 8.

The club organised a fundraiser before they eventually took their place and announced their arrival with a bang, beating home favourites Yanga FC 2-1 in the opener before beating Zanzibar’s KMKM 3-1 and drawing 1-1 with Al Khartoum to top Group A with 10 points.

Gor beat Al Malakia of South Sudan 2-1 in the quarters before silencing Al Khartoum 3-1 in the semi where Michael Olunga rose to be the tournament top scorer with five, sparking intense speculation on his future.

At the last hurdle though, Azam dominated Frank Nutall’s side in all departments to end Gor’s storming run.

Gor will return to the CAF Champions League next season hoping to fare better than 2015 with coast based side, Bandari FC who won the Shield making a maiden splash to continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup.

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Southampton’s Victor Wanyama, left, evades the challenge of Swansea City’s Andre Ayew during their English Premier League soccer match at St Mary’s, Southampton, England, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. PHOTO/PA

LONDON, December 24- Ronald Koeman has warned Victor Wanyama’s admirers nobody will be leaving Southampton next month.

Tottenham failed to prise the midfielder out of St Mary’s in the summer, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was this month forced to deny he is planning a January move.

Southampton host the Gunners on Boxing Day, and ahead of that game Koeman has made it clear any bidders will be wasting their time.

“They can prepare whatever they like to prepare,” he said. “Don’t spend time trying to buy a player from Southampton because it’s impossible.

“They talk about players from Southampton because we have some good players and there is always interest in players. And the ambition of players is about playing Champions League.

“We know what we like to do and how we like to do our business. That means in January nobody will leave Southampton.”

Saints go into Christmas with just one point from their past five games, and Koeman admits his job could be under threat if that run continues despite the club’s seventh-placed finish last season.

“Every manager is under pressure,” he said. “If you sack Jose Mourinho, if you sack Garry Monk from Swansea – then we know.

“It’s all about the philosophy of the club, the chairman, and the board. It’s still quiet in Southampton but maybe in one month it can be different.

“We know if you are a long time in football what can happen and I’m not worried about that. If it happens, it happens. I do my job, I do my best for the club and do what I have to do, and nothing else.”

-By Sky Sports

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The police intervention came a day after public outcry over the delayed Harambee Stars flight to Cape Verde/XINHUA-File

NAIROBI, December 28 – The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has recommended the prosecution of Football Kenya Federation president, Sam Nyamweya for misappropriation of Harambee Stars funds.

The DCI also recommended that the federation’s CEO, Michael Esakwa and acting finance manager Samson Cherop also be charged with the same offences.

“The police recommends that the suspects be charged with offences of conspiracy to defraud, stealing by agent and fraudulent false accounting,” the statement read.

In a statement released on Monday, the Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko, confirmed the receipt of the files from the DCI who had interrogated Nyamweya on November 17 over the delay of Harambee Stars trip ahead of their 2018 World Cup second round; return leg pre-qualifier against Cape Verde.

“CCID Nairobi Area Inquiry File No. 19/2015- Inquiry into how funds amounting to Sh17,241,824 was utilized by Football Kenya Federation in nearly abortive trip by Harambee Stars to Cape Verde,” the statement added.

The federation boss was quizzed why the team had to travel at 8:40pm on the eve of the match despite the Ministry of Sports having released Sh17m for facilitation including paying the outstanding four-match allowances and refund of air tickets to foreign based players.

The team arrived in Praia three hours to the match and were subsequently thrown out of the 2018 Russia World Cup pre-qualifier after going down 2-0 in the return leg to bow out on a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Nyamweya who was grilled for over six hours by the DCI, had blamed the ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture for the delay that saw Stars stranded for 10 hours before Cabinet Secretary for Sports Hassan Wario arrived at Wilson Airport at 8pm to end the stalemate.

The team departed on a chartered plane with the ministry saying they had wired the monies to FKF account four days before the scheduled date of departure.

The development has tainted Nyamweya’s run for a second term re-election as FKF president and it’s yet to be seen if he will remain in the ballot.

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AFC Leopards defender Ivan Anguyo with Gor Mahia midfielder Collins Okoth when the two sides clashed in the 2015 second-leg ‘Mashemeji Derby’ clash at Nyayo National Stadium on August 23. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, December 29 – Kenyan Premier League has released the fixtures of the first four rounds of the 2016 season scheduled to kick-off February 13.

The first-leg of the ‘Mashemeji Derby’ pitting champions Gor Mahia and bitter rivals AFC Leopards will be held on March 6 with K’Ogalo hosting the encounter either at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium or Kasarani.

The season-opening DSTV Super Cup between Gor and GOtv Shield winners Bandari will for the first time he hosted outside Nairobi with Mombasa staging the competition scheduled for February 6.

The season proper will get underway a week later, on the weekend K’Ogalo and Bandari will be out to represent the country in the continental assignments.

Gor will host their Madagascan counterparts, CNaPS in the opening leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round whilst Bandari will be away in Democratic Republic of Congo to battle it out with FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the Confederations Cup.

In the opening day of the 2016 SportPesa Premier League campaign, Ulinzi Stars welcome Sony Sugar, Newly promoted side Kakamega Homeboyz entertain Western Stima, Tusker travel to Thika United while Sofapaka take on Ushuru FC in Machakos.

Gor will open their title defence away to Chemelil Sugar on February 17.

Tusker FC will shift their home matches to Meru’s Kinoru Stadium after the conclusion of the year-long renovation by the County Government of Meru.

The first match at Kinoru Stadium will see the Brewers host Ulinzi on February 20.

According to KPL official website, full fixture of the entire season will be released on Friday.

-fixtures up to the fourth round

6 Feb: Super Cup – Gor Mahia v Bandari (3pm, Mombasa)

13 Feb: CAF Confederation Cup – Lupopo (DRC) Bandari (Kenya, CAF Champions League – Gor Mahia (Kenya) v CNAPS (Madagascar),

Ulinzi Stars v Sony Sugar (2pm, Afraha), KK Homeboyz v Western Stima (3pm, Bukhungu), Thika United v Tusker (3pm, Thika), Sofapaka v Ushuru (3pm, Machakos)

14 Feb: Posta Rangers v Muhoroni Youth (2pm, Nyayo), AFC Leopards v Mathare United (4.15pm, Nyayo)

17 Feb: Chemelil Sugar v Gor Mahia (3pm, Moi Stadium), City Stars v Bandari (4pm, Nyayo)

20 Feb: Ushuru Thika v United (3pm City), Western Stima v City Stars (3pm, Moi Stadium), Tusker v Ulinzi Stars (3pm, Kinoru), Muhoroni Youth v Sofapaka (3pm, Muhoroni), Sony Sugar v AFC Leopards (3pm, Awendo)

21 Feb: Bandari v KK Homeboyz (3pm, Mbaraki), Mathare United v Chemelil Sugar (2pm, Nyayo), Gor Mahia v Posta Rangers (4.15pm, Nyayo)

27 Feb: Champions League – CNAPS (Madagascar) v Gor Mahia (Kenya), Confederation Cup – Bandari (Kenya) Lupopo (DRC)

Sony Sugar v Ushuru (3pm, Awendo), KK Homeboyz v Chemelil Sugar (3pm, Bukhungu), Thika United v Muhoroni Youth (2pm, Thika), Posta Rangers v Western Stima (3pm, City)

28 Feb: City Stars v Tusker (3pm, Nyayo), Sofapaka v Mathare United (3pm, Nyayo)

02 Mar: AFC Leopards v Bandari (7pm, Nyayo), Ulinzi Stars v Gor Mahia (4pm, Afraha)

05 Mar: Chemelil Sugar v City Stars (3pm, Chemelil), Muhoroni Youth v Tusker (3pm, Muhoroni), Western Stima v Thika United (3pm, Moi Stadium), Mathare United v KK Homeboyz (4pm, Nyayo), Posta Rangers v Sofapaka (4.15pm, Nyayo)

06 Mar: Ushuru v Ulinzi Stars (3pm, City), Gor Mahia v AFC Leopards (3pm, Nyayo/Kasarani), Bandari v Sony Sugar (3pm, Mbaraki)

The post Gor to host ‘Mashemeji Derby’ first leg in 2016 appeared first on Capital Sports.

Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya celebrates after winning gold in the Men’s 3000 metres steeplechase final during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 24, 2015. PHOTO/IAAF/Getty Images

MADRID, December 30 – Kenya’s Steeplechase great, Ezekiel Kemboi and 2009 world 10,000m champion Linet Masai headline a strong field for Thursday’s Madrid San Silvestre Vallecana Road Race.

The IAAF Silver Label Road Race and arguably the most prestigious of the myriad New Year’s Eve races around the world, offers quality line-ups in both the men’s and women’s categories on Thursday night.

The race is held on a slightly downhill 10km point-to-point course and starts alongside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium before finishing on the pitch of another Spanish first division club Rayo Vallecano in Madrid’s southern suburbs.

The men’s contest looks to be a three-horse battle in the guise of last year’s winner Kaan Kigen Ozbilen of Turkey – formerly Mike Kigen of Kenya – and two of the world’s best steeplechasers: four-time world champion Kemboi and US record-holder Evan Jager.

Experience should play in favour of Ozbilen as he won comfortably in 27:51 last year.

More recently, he clocked a Turkish record of 2:07:45 when finishing third at the Amsterdam Marathon in October after setting a season’s best of 1:00:10 at the Great North Run the previous month.

But Ozbilen will have to contend with the superior speed of Kemboi and Jager on a fast circuit like Madrid’s.

While the 33-year-old Kemboi boasts a relatively modest 10km PB of 28:38, the long-legged Jager has not a registered mark for the distance.

He does, however, own a 5000m PB of 13:02.40 and earlier this year clocked a 1500m PB of 3:32.97.

In their speciality event, double Olympic champion Kemboi has ducked under the 8:00 barrier three times throughout his career, topped by a 7:55.76 clocking in Monaco back in 2011 while the 26-year-old Jager set a North American record of 8:00.45 at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris in July, despite falling at the final barrier.

Waiting for the minor signal of weakness from this triumvirate of favourites will be the Spanish duo of Roberto Alaiz and Toni Abadia.

Alaiz is fresh from a creditable seventh spot at the European Cross Country Championships in Hyeres where Spain took team gold while Spanish 10,000m and cross-country champion Abadia will be back in contention after a virus prevented him from competing at the European Cross Country Championships.

They will be joined by Alaiz’s training partner Sebastian Martos, the Spanish steeplechase champion.

The 25-year-old Alaiz has already two third-place finishes to his name in Madrid (2012 and 2013) while Abadia, also 25, finished third last year.

They finished fifth and eighth respectively in the 5000m at the 2014 Europeans Championships.

Masai appears to be the athlete to beat in the women’s race. After a below-par 2015 for much of the season, the 26-year-old now looks to be in better form following a couple of convincing cross-country victories in Soria and Alcobendas last month.

Masai won in Madrid two years ago in 31:33, one year after being runner-up, so Thursday’s race will mark her third appearance in the event.

Accomplished Ethiopian marathon runner Birhane Dibaba could well be Masai’s main threat. Dibaba holds a 2:22:30 marathon PB and won this year’s Tokyo Marathon in 2:23:15.

European 10,000m silver medallist Clemence Calvin of France will perform over her favourite distance, while Poland’s Iwona Lewandowska and Portugal’s Salome Rocha, who finished fourth and fifth respectively last year, will return to Madrid.

Spain’s 2010 European 1500m champion Nuria Fernandez will also return to Madrid after giving birth to her third daughter last May.

Forecasters predict a mild night on Thursday with possible rain and temperatures ranging between 8-10C by the time the gun goes for the last IAAF Label Road Race of 2015.

In addition to the elite contest, there will be a mass race with almost 40,000 entrants taking to the streets two-and-a-half hours before the main event.

The post Kemboi, Masai lead strong field in Madrid appeared first on Capital Sports.

Mike Kigen wins at the 2015 San Silvestre Vallecana (Organisers) © Copyright

MADRID, January 1 – Kenya’s Mike Kigen and Linet Masai produced commanding wins at Madrid’s famous San Silvestre Vallecana, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, on Thursday.

In doing so, Kigen successfully defended his title on the 10km course which stretches from the centre of Madrid to the finish in the stadium of La Liga football club Ray Vallecano in the Spanish capital’s southern suburbs.

The race kicked-off at a frantic pace as Kigen, shadowed by Venezuela’s Marvin Blanco, flew through the first kilometre in 2:40, which had the effect of destroying all their other rivals.

Blanco, almost inevitably, soon began to fade and Kigen went through the halfway point in 13:30, 50 seconds ahead of a large chasing group compounded by Spain’s Toni Abadía, Víctor García, Roberto Alaiz, Toni Abadía, Fernando Carro and Ilias Fifa among others, while the well-known US steeplechaser Evan Jager ran at the back of this group.

The second half of the event was a copy-and-paste from last year as Kigen’s relentless rhythm produced a stunning win in 27:35, the fourth fastest time in the history of the race and just eight seconds short of his personal best set in Berlin in 2010.

“I retained my title and ran faster than last year so I’m delighted. I now plan a half marathon likely in Abu Dhabi next February as a stepping stone for a spring marathon,” said Kigen, who is looking to improve on his best over the classic distance of 2:06:59, which he ran when finishing second at the 2015 Frankfurt Marathon.

The fight for the second place turned into a fierce battle between Jager and Fifa, the latter having finished a very creditable fifth at the European Cross Country Championships earlier in the month;

But Jager’s track speed helped give him the runners up spot – the best ever for an US athlete in the history of the event – clinching his place over the final 200 metres before crossing the line 28:54 with Fifa two seconds in arrears.

“It’s hard for me to compete at this early stage of the season. I have performed over 10km at last (laughs) and the experience was not too bad,” reflected Jager.

“The world indoors will take place in my home town of Portland. I would like to be there in the 3000m but there will only two berths on offer to make the American team so it’s not going to be easy to compete there.

“I’ll next likely run indoors, New York and Boston I guess but my primary goal is to medal at the Olympics and running under eight minutes for the steeplechase has to also one of the major objectives of my career,” added the American.

Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi, the multiple 3000m steeplechase champion, was touted as one of the stars of the race but finished down in disappointing 21st place and more than three minutes behind his compatriot Kigen, after never being seriously involved in the sharp end of the race.

Now 33, Kemboi confirmed his goal for next season is to become the Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion for a third time.

“Rio will be my last Olympics for sure, I’ll sit with my coach afterwards and decide what to do in the future but I think I’ll be competitive on the roads, maybe in the marathon event.”

The women’s event quickly became a solo display by 2013 San Silvestre Vallecana winner Linet Masai.

Taking advantage of the mixed event, the Kenyan star was in the company of good quality male club runners athletes which helped her to keep up a brisk pace throughout the race.

After a 15:29 split at the halfway point, Masai was never threatened and built up a sizeable margin of over a minute on France’s 2014 European 10,000m silver medallist Calvin Clemence.

Masai crossed the line in 31:38 to regain her title, with Calvin second in 32:41. Poland’s Iwona Lewandowska completed the podium in 32:53.

“It was my third appearance here and I got my second win today so it’s not bad. I like this race because you have plenty of downhill kilometres before the last uphill section,” reflected Masai.

“I’m not yet at top form since I suffered a knee injury at the beginning of the year which prevented me to compete at the world cross country championships.

“Anyway, my only focus in 2016 will be the Olympics where I would like to compete over 10,000m and go for the gold medal but firstly I’ll have to make the Kenyan team for Río which won’t be an easy task,” added the winner of the last IAAF competition of the year.

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Vincent Kipruto winning at the 2016 Xiamen Marathon (organisers) © Copyright

NAIROBI, January 2 – Kenya’s Vincent Kipruto and Ethiopia’s Worknesh Edesa claimed victories at the 2016 Xiamen International Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Kipruto, the 2011 IAAF World Championships marathon silver medallist came out on top at the first IAAF competition of 2016 after a six-man battle over the last 10 kilometres to cross the line in 2:10:18.

The initial leading group of 13 men passed 10km mark in 30:35. The leaders went on to hit 15km in 45:56, 20km in 1:01:31, 25km in 1:17:11 and 30km in 1:32:30.

In the last 10km, the leading pack was down to Ethiopia’s Feyisa Bekele, Shura Kitata, Abdela Godana, Alemu Gemechu and Gebre Mekuant, as well as Kipruto as the lone Kenyan surrounded by a swathe of rivals from his country’s Rift Valley neighbour.

The 25-year-old Gemechu was first left behind and the leading group waved goodbye to Mekuant after 36 kilometres and then Godana after 38 kilometres.

At the 39km mark, the 32-year-old Bekele started to slow down, leaving the top prize to be disputed by Kitata and Kipruto.

After Kitata and Kipruto took turns at the front, the pair were still check-to-cheek with 200 metres to go but Kipruto’s strong finish gave him the victory after the thrilling finale.

The 19-year-old Kitata, a relatively inexperienced runner who set a personal best of 2:08:53 when finishing third at Shanghai Marathon in November less than two months ago, came home second in 2:10:20.

Bekele, who has a PB of 2:06:26 when finishing fourth at the 2012 Amsterdam Marathon, took third place in 2:11:09.

“I am very impressed and happy about my performance. I haven’t won for a long time and this time I won, so I am very happy,” said Kipruto, whose only marathon finish in 2015 was a lowly 14th at the Paris Marathon in April.

It was his Kipruto’s fourth career win over the classic distance in 15 finishes, following on from his triumphs in Paris in 2009 and then Otsu and Frankfurt in 2013.

He fulfilled his role as the fastest man in the race his personal best of 2:05:13 coming when he finished third in the Rotterdam race in 2010 but Kipruto’s winning time in Xiamen was the slowest in the latest nine editions and almost four minutes away from the course record of 2:06:19 set by his countryman Moses Mosop last year.

In contrast to the relatively sluggish times in the men’s race, the 23-year-old Edesa trimmed more than seven minutes off her best to claim the women’s title in 2:24:04, extending Ethiopia’s winning streak in the women’s race to seven years.

Edesa’s previous best was 2:31:06 set at the Marrakech Marathon last year.

She was part of the leading group from the start of the race, passing 10km in 34:42 and 20km in 1:08:07 before making a solo run from home at around 25 kilometres. After that she never faced any real challenge.

“I am so happy with the performance,” said Edesa, who was looking around slightly nervously in the last few hundreds of metres. “At the beginning I pushed the race a lot, after that it became slower, because the course is a bit up and down and it was a little bit windy, that made the second half slower.”

“When we returned back to the bridge, it was very difficult because of the wind. I liked the view, though,” she said, referring to the 2.2km Yanwu Bridge that stretches over the sea and the runners have to go across twice during the race.

Edesa’s compatriot Marta Lema finished 28 seconds behind Edesa in 2:24:32, beating her PB of 2:25:59 set in last September at at another Chinese race, the Hengshui Marathon.

Fantu Eticha completed an all-Ethiopian women’s podium in the coastal city in Fujian province, coming home a distant third in 2:26:53, 39 seconds outside her best.

More than 27,000 runners competed in the Xiamen Marathon this year with another 21,000 taking part in the associated the 5km mass run.

The post Kipruto, Edesa triumph at Xiamen Marathon appeared first on Capital Sports.

Bandari FC players celebrate after beating Nakumatt FC 4-2 to win the GOtv Shied on Saturday, December 13 at Nyayo National Stadium. PHOTO FILE/ Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, January 4 – GOtv Shield champions Bandari have shifted their training camp to Nairobi as they began pre-season ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup first-leg preliminary round where they face DRC’s FC Saint Eloi Lupopo away on February 13.

The coast-based side will this season hold some of their training at their alternative Nyayo National Stadium home ground after their preferred Mbaraki Sports Club was closed down for renovations.

Club spokesman Ernest Mbalanya told KPL official website they opted to begin pre-season early in Nairobi to acclimatize with the high altitude as they will host the Congolese side in the return-leg on the weekend of February 27 at the same venue.

“Our home ground will not be able to host the Confederations Cup because the pitch has not been approved by CAF. In fact, it has been shut down temporarily for renovations.

The coach (Twahir Muhiddin) also suggested the team travel to Nairobi where the altitude is higher than Mombasa so that the players won’t struggle much during the continental showdown,” Mbalanya declared.

Bandari bundled out Football Kenya Federation Premier League side, Nakumatt FC 4-2 to make their maiden appearance in the continental scene and Muhiddin outlined they are up to the task.

“I started featuring in CAF competitions in 1989, don’t you think I’m ready?” he posed immediately after the GOtv Shield finals at a rain-lashed Nyayo National Stadium. We have a young good squad and I will be looking to bring on an experienced defender and striker to strengthen the team,” Muhiddin, a former Harambee Stars head coach, underscored.

The Dockers who surprised many by their stellar 2015 season performance that saw them finish fourth in SportPesa Premier League (SPL), have signed defender, Felly Mulumba from Sofapaka and Chemelil Sugar forward, Meshack Karani who both were included in the 20-man provisional squad submitted to CAF.

Mulumba, keeper Wilson Obungu and midfielder Anthony Kimani will be inspirational to the team as they have played against Lupopo when they eliminated the Lubumbashi based side on away goal rule to reach the play-off round in 2011 when they were at Sofapaka.

Bandari will warm-up for the continental assignment with a clash against SPL champions Gor Mahia when the two lock horns February 6 in the DSTVSuper Cup.

Muhiddin’s team will then open their SPL campaign two weeks later when they travel to Nairobi City Stars.

The winner between Bandari and Lupopo will progress to the first round to meet Sudan’s Al-Ahly Shendi.

Bandari Confederation Cup squad:

Islam Omar Islam, Karani Makokha Meshack, Oluoch Alfred Ochieng, Owira John Otieno, Opiyo George Abege, Mudde Musa, Shariff Mohamed, Khamis Tole Seif, Menza Shaban Kenga, Alfred Maningi Opiyo, Wilson Oduor Obungu, Juma Masud Choka, Abdullatif Omar Said, Anthony Kimani Njenga, Joseph Okoth Ochuka, Atsali Humphrey Okoti, Felly Mulumba Tshiyoyo, King’atua David, Almasi Farid Juma Mohamed, Victor Reuben Ndinya

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Olivier Giroud: Celebrates Arsenal’s winner against Newcastle United

LONDON, January 4 – Olivier Giroud has dismissed suggestions that Arsenal need to strengthen in the transfer window this month to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title.

Mohamed Elneny is expected to arrive from Basel to shore up an injury-hit midfield, but some pundits, including Alan Shearer, have suggested that Arsenal still need another striker if they are to stay clear at the top of the table.Giroud, however, believes the Gunners are well stocked up front.

“Tell me where we need new players? Just tell me where? I will explain the opposite judgment,” he said after a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the weekend.

“We have very good players as well on the bench, young players waiting to come in. They are very talented.

“I am not worried about it. I know that maybe we sign a player, an Egyptian one.

“Danny Welbeck will come back in one month and a half. Theo Walcott can play up front, Joel Campbell is doing well with his national team up front. If I am less good or get injured, we still have a solution.”

The win over Newcastle moved Arsenal two points clear of Leicester City at the summit, with Giroud vowing to pass on his experience of winning the Ligue 1 title with Montpellier to the younger members of the Gunners’ squad.

“To be champions in a season – and I know that because I was a champion with Montpellier – you need talent, of course,” Giroud said.

“But you need a bit of luck sometimes as you cannot always play a fantastic game.

“That experience will fully help me and if I can give advice to the young players, I will. The older players need to bring confidence to the youngest and lead them.

“That is what I try to do sometimes. I always encourage them and show them, maybe, in a nice way, the best solution. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don’t care!”

-By TEAMtalk.com

The post We don’t need striker says Giroud appeared first on Capital Sports.

AFC Leopards fans in a past SPL match. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, January 5 – With other SportPesa Premier League clubs beginning their pre-season in earnest, uncertainty still surrounds cash-strapped AFC Leopards, after the Douglas Simiyu led faction rubbished reports that the club has fired the entire technical bench and hired former coach, Jan Koops as the new tactician.

Simuyu was reacting after one of the local daily published a report that their rival group led by Mathew Opwora had appointed Koops with a directive issued by the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

On Tuesday afternoon, the two warring groups were summoned by their mediator Morris Ohaga who is the Sports Tribunal chairman to iron out the differences.

In the meeting that is ongoing, an Interim Management Committee consisting of three members from each faction will be constituted with Ohaga chairing the board that will oversee the club affairs for four month before elections are held.

“We have not hired anyone those are people who want to disrupt the process set up by the Sports Tribunal. We have already submitted three names from each side as ordered by the Tribunal who will be mandated to put the team together and make sure the club is running.

“AFC Leopards has not stopped; Trials are going on under the leadership of Ezekiel Akwana who will oversee the team until we conduct elections in May. As Interim Secretary General, I have not signed any letter of releasing players although some want to leave. Everything has been put on hold until we put our house in order,” Simiyu told Capital Sport.

Opwora who filed the petition at the Sports Tribunal sometimes back, leading to the postponement of the club’s election that were scheduled for December, on the other hand claimed the hiring of Koops was not officially announced although his group that consists of Suleiman Angulu and Morris Osundwa had recommended him.

“We are waiting for the Tribunal’s decision this afternoon (Tuesday) to give us direction that will see us reconcile and get things running. Many people proposed Koops to be the coach and we believe he is the best man.

“AFC Leopards will continue and we are looking to recruiting new players. I here Akwana is conducting Trials under whose instruction is he doing that. We will embark on registering members in the grassroots,” Opwora underscored.

The latest development could throw Ingwe’s pre-season into a spin even as they seek to improve on their last year nightmare where they finished sixth without silverware with managerial wrangles blamed for the team’s poor performance.

The post Confusion in the Den as Koops rejected appeared first on Capital Sports.

Faith Chepng’etich when competing at the Beijing World Championships in August. PHOTO FILE

NAIROBI, January 5 – World 1500m silver medallist Faith Chepng’etich will highlight the final Athletics Kenya Cross Country Series slotted for Saturday at Kabianga University in Sotik.

Chepng’etich who has been sitting on the fence since representing the country at the Beijing World Championships where she finished second, will be out to reaffirm her authority in the event as she eyes selection for the Africa Cross Country set for March in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The seventh leg will see dominant forces Cleophas Ng’etich, Dominic Kiptarus (men), Caroline Chepkoech and Sheila Chepkurui (women) underline the start-list in the 10km senior categories as they seek to clinch the overall crowns.

However, the leaders will have to keep their winning tricks closer to their heels as they compete against headwinds likely to be mounted by new forces from Philip Langat and Chepng’etich.

The quartet of Sandra Chebet, her sister Emily Chebet, Alfred Ng’eno and Andrew Lorot will be leaving nothing to chance as they seek their last victories as juniors before graduating to the senior ranks later in the season.

Naomi Chebet, who finished second during the 4th Premium cross-country in Iten, won in Mt Elgon with new entrants Charles Chemengich beating Nairobi winner Kiptarus to second  in the senior men.

Sheila Chelangat and Isaac Kipsang dominated the junior races and it will be curious to see who will carry the day in Sotik if other victors Cecilia Maria (Kangaru), Ivyn Chepkemoi (Nyahururu) and Chebet (Nairobi and Iten) compete in the final leg.

Kiptarus, Ng’etich and Emmanuel Kipsang have won in Nairobi, Embu, Nyahururu and Iten while Chepkoech, Chepkurui and Pauline Korikwiang won the senior women race in Nairobi, Embu and Iten.

The bulk of participants will be expected to come from neighboring regions such as Kericho, Keringet, Olenguruoni, Bomet, Kuresoi, Nakuru as well as from institutions like Police Service and the Prisons who have been hosting the event.

The Sotik Meeting will conclude the seven country-wide competition build-up legs, paving way for the Kenya Defense Forces Cross Country Championships on January 15, a day before Kenya National Police Service hold theirs.

Prisons Service will conclude the forces championships on January 23 before the regions championship on January 30.

The post Chepng’etich headlines Sotik Cross Country appeared first on Capital Sports.

Kenya Sevens team. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, January 5 – Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) will host a one day High-Performance Seminar on Friday in Nairobi with the aim of drawing consistency in all the national team squads.

The seminar that will be attended by all respective Team Managers will be facilitated by the KRU CEO Ronald Bukusi and former Kenya Sevens Head Coach Felix Ochieng.

The training is geared towards setting a culture of excellence across the board in the Kenya Sevens, national fifteens, the Lioness and Under-19s.

The event will be a big beneficiary to the men’s and women’s sevens teams who will represent the country at the August Rio De Janeiro Olympics Games while the 15s will be looking to improve on their International Rugby Board Rankings.

KRU are planning to extend the seminar to Kenya Cup next month where all the clubs and Team Managers will attend.

-Kenya Cup resumes-

Meanwhile, six matches have been lined up as the league resumes this weekend after breaking for the festive season.

Champions KCB host Western Bulls at the ASK Jamhuri Park while leaders Kenya Harlequin travel to Kabras Sugar at the Kakamega Showground.

Other matches on the day pit Top Fry Nakuru against Nondescripts with Blak Blad hosting Mean Machine whilst Mwamba will play Thika as Impala Saracens welcome newcomers Bungoma’s Kenya Sharks.

The fixture between Strathmore Leos and Homeboyz has been postponed following the death of Leos scrum half Geoffrey Githaiga and will be played at a later date.

The post ‘Toti’ to conduct High-Performance Seminar appeared first on Capital Sports.

Andrew Lorot. PHOTO/ Courtesy.

NAIROBI, January 6 – Africa cross country silver medallist Andrew Lorot is among top five nominees shortlisted for the newly introduced most outstanding performer Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) in the schools category.

Lorot who bagged silver at the East African Secondary School Games in the boys 10,000m and 5,000m will battle for the boy’s top prize with upcoming sprinter, East Africa 100m and 200m champion and record holder Moffat Ngari.

Also in line for the accolade are tennis national champion and regional silver medallist Shivam Shah, swimmer Ian Ngatia and javelin East Africa champion and record holder David Parisitau.

The corresponding girl’s category is also competitive with East African Games 100m and 200m champion, Maxmilla Imali headlining the list that has another runner Iveen Chepkemoi.

The other candidates in this category are girls’ best swimmer at the East Africa Games Virginia Okumu, national and East Africa’s champion in both singles and doubles of tennis and regional badminton MVP Valery Kones.

In the secondary school games team of the year accolade, Boys’ hockey national champions and East Africa bronze medalists Narok Boys will be up against East Africa and national rugby 15s champions Laiser Hill Academy who also shined in football.

St Peters Secondary School Chirikwa who excelled in handball, Maseno School basketball and rugby sevens national champions St Peters Mumias complete the list.

The girl’s contest has National volleyball champions AIC Kosirai alongside national hockey winners Trans Nzoia Mixed, East Africa hockey champions Sinyolo Girls, national basketball title-holder Shimba Hills and girls’ national handball champions Moi Girls Kamusinga.

Listed in the Coach of the Year category are Edgar Manyara of Wiyeta Girls football team, Obambo netball team’s Rose Anyango, Kelvin Lugalia of St. Anthony’s Kitale hockey, Richard Soi of AIC Kosirai volleyball and Sinyolo Girls hockey coach Alloise Owino.

The nominees made the cut based on their exceptional performance at the national school games and also the East Africa games that were held in Rwanda last year.

The annual sports awards bonanza will be held on January 15 in Nairobi in what is expected to be a glamorous event.

This comes against the backdrop of an Olympic season later in the year and the sports personalities will be looking to get that extra motivation to aim higher.

The post Lorot shortlisted in SOYA schools category appeared first on Capital Sports.

Alice Aprot/ PHOTO FILE

NAIROBI, January 7 – All Africa Games champion, Alice Aprot overcame a deep field to win the women’s race at the Campaccio meeting, the first IAAF Cross Country Permit competition of 2016.

Ethiopia dominated the corresponding men’s event with Imane Merga crossing the line first ahead of compatriot Yasin Haji who settled second and Kenya’s steeplechase Diamond League winner Jairus Birech who completed the podium.

Aprot, the women’s 10,000m champion at the Congo Brazzaville Africa Games, won the race in a course record of 18:56, holding off Asian steeplechase record-holder Ruth Jebet from Bahrain by five seconds whilst 2009 world 10,000m champion Linet Masai finished third in 19:02, 12 seconds in front of 2012 Campaccio winner Mercy Cherono.

Merga, the 2011 world cross-country champion, won in the final sprint, clocking 28:50 and sharing the same time as second-place finisher Haji, the world junior cross-country champion as Birech took third place in 28:54.

Course record for Aprot

Italian triathlete and long-distance runner Sara Dossena was the early leader and covered the first kilometre in 3:20. The group of favourites – formed by Uganda’s Stella Chesang, Cherono, Aprot, Masai and Jebet – chose a more conservative tactic in the opening stages.

After going through the first lap in 6:42, Jebet, Aprot and Cherono went to the front ahead of Chesang, Masai and Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia.

Masai then joined the leading trio and the four athletes pulled away from Assefa and Chesang on the second lap, opening up a gap of 10 seconds.

Aprot then launched her decisive kick, breaking away from Jebet by five seconds and crossing the finish line in 18:56, taking three seconds off the course record set two years ago by Hiwot Ayalew.

“It was a very competitive race with strong runners,” said Aprot. “The course was very good and the weather was perfect for running. I am going back to Kenya to prepare the track season. My goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 10,000m.”

In the men’s race, Abraham Cheroben, the fastest half marathon runner in the world in 2015, took the lead in the early stages and went through 2km in 5:56.

He was followed by a large group featuring Merga, Haji, Birech, Abdalla Manda, Kenya’s Thomas Longosiwa, and Poland’s Karel Zalewski.

Birech then took the initiative and went through 4km in 11:44 ahead of Cheroben, Merga, Longosiwa, Haji and Mande.

After four laps, the leading group was whittled down to six men with Haji taking the lead closely followed by Birech, Longosiwa, Merga, Cheroben and Mande.

After 20 minutes, Longosiwa, Birech, Merga, Haji and Cheroben pulled away from Mande by eight seconds as Merga remained in the leading pack but waited until the 9km mark on the last lap to take the lead, closely followed by Haji and Birech.

Merga, Birech and Haji battled it out for the win in the final sprint. Birech tried to launch his attack with 300 metres to go at the entrance of the Angelo Alberti athletics track but Merga responded by breaking away in the final straight to romp home in 28:50, holding off Haji in a close sprint.

“It was an easy race,” said Merga. “My tactic was very simple as I decided to stay in the group for most of the race until the last lap when I launched my attack.”

Leading results

Men (10km)

1 Imane Merga (ETH) 28:50

2 Yasin Haji (ETH) 28:50

3 Jairus Birech (KEN) 28:54

4 Thomas Longosiwa (KEN) 29:03

5 Abraham Cheroben (KEN) 29:06

6 Abdallah Mande Kibet (UGA) 29:26

7 Stefano La Rosa (ITA) 29:29

8 Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA) 29:30

9 Krystian Zalewski (POL) 29:45

10 Italo Quazzola (ITA) 30:00

Women (6km)

1 Alice Aprot (KEN) 18:56

2 Ruth Jebet (BRN) 19:01

3 Linet Masai (KEN) 19:02

4 Mercy Cherono (KEN) 19:19

5 Sofia Assefa (ETH) 19:30

6 Stella Chesang (UGA) 19:50

7 Veronica Inglese (ITA) 19:59

8 Lily Partridge (GBR) 20:09

9 Silvia La Barbera (ITA) 20:13

10 Sara Dossena (ITA) 20:23

-By IAAF-

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WADA. PHOTO/FILE

PARIS, January 7 – The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) independent commission will publish the second part of its report into allegations of widespread doping in athletics next week with criminal charges not being ruled out.

The second part will look at further allegations which centred on Kenya.

Dozens of Kenyan athletes have been suspended or banned since 2012 after testing positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs, among them marathon star Rita Jeptoo.

The report will be released on January 14 with a media conference to follow in Munich, WADA said in a statement, with chairman Richard Pound to present the findings.

“Richard Pound will present the findings concerning allegations of widespread doping in international athletics,” said the statement.

“The report will also include the independent commission’s findings on conduct that may be of a criminal nature as well as contrary to World Anti-Doping Code rules.”

The commission was set-up after allegations raised in the documentary titled “Doping – Top Secret: The Shadowy World of Athletics”, which alleged that German broadcaster ARD and The Sunday Times had obtained a leaked database, belonging to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), containing more than 12,000 blood tests from around 5,000 athletes in the years 2001 to 2012.

The first part of the report, released in November 2015, sent shockwaves through track and field with accusations of state-sponsored doping in Russia and allegations of corruption at the highest levels of the IAAF.

The post WADA to publish second part of doping probe appeared first on Capital Sports.

Lydia Maiyo in action during training.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, January 7 – National women’s volleyball team head coach Japheth Munala is troubled by the unavailability of three dependable Kenya Prisons players who are yet to link up with the team ahead of the continental Rio Olympics qualifiers slated for February 12-19 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Setter Joy Lusenaka, middle blockers Anne Lowem and Edith Wisa are currently engaged by their employer at the Prisons Training College, Ruiru a situation that has left Munala a worried man, saying it has highly affected his training programme.

The tactician noted the trio were instrumental when Kenya bagged the elusive All Africa Games title last year in Congo Brazzaville, outlining that their presence will add more depth to the squad.

“They were supposed to link up with the rest today (Thursday) but they didn’t so we are expecting them tomorrow. They are very instrumental in the team and it could have been good if we all trained together so that we can plan our strategy.

“They are engaged at their Prisons headquarters where some were sitting for their Diploma course exams while others were held up with training,” Munala declared when the team conducted training at Kasarani Indoor Arena.

So far only 18 players out of 26 who were named in the provisional squad have reported to camp with France based setter Jane Wacu, attackers Esther Wangeci and Everlyne Makuto expected to arrive February 1 whilst Finland based attacker Mercy Moim is scheduled to link up with the squad five days later.

“We are hoping to perform well in Cameroon but I can’t guarantee anything for now because we are heading for a tough competition.

The experienced players will help us sail through alongside the young players who are coming up very well,” the tactician who replaced long serving David Lung’aho, added.

The team has been concentrating on bettering their skills in service reception, back court and net defence which was a letdown in the Africa Games where they lost to Cameroon in their second Group B match before avenging in the final to clinch gold.

Munala will trim his squad to 20 next week before settling for the travelling squad of 16 when the foreign based players join the team.

“I urge the federation to facilitate two Liberos so that in case one gets injured we will not be affected,” the coach who dropped experienced players, setter Jane Wanja and captain Bracksides Agala, urged.

Kenya last participated at the Olympics in 2004 in Athens, Greece, finishing 11th overall, after losing all her matches.

The post Malkia Strikers coach troubled by trio absence appeared first on Capital Sports.

AFC Leopards fans Mexican wave. PHOTO FILE.

NAIROBI, January 7 – The Den of confusion or the biblical Tower of Babel that has become AFC Leopards conducted parallel players recruitment Trials, even as the Interim Management Committee (IMC) unveiled a new technical bench to manage the bankrupt SportPesa Premier League titans.

The latest twist in the never ending circus at the giants of local football comes barely hours after Team Manager Francis Xavier threw in the towel, citing disorder after two factions conducted in two different venues at Rift Valley Training Institute (RTI) and Marist University International College.

On Thursday, the IMC that is co-chaired by Mathew Opwora and Daniel Mule, announced former coach Jan Koops the new tactician assisted by club’s former midfielder Tom Juma, former custodian John Busolo as the goal keeper trainer whilst Joseph Milimo replaced Xavier in the Team Manager position.

“We have made a decision to appoint Koops to take charge of  AFC Leopards. This is after we met as Interim Committee and advertised the position.

“We only received applications from Koops and Tom Juma whom we found them suitable for the job in order to do recruitment and give us the best players. We will have a series of friendlies starting this weekend in Wote before naming the team,” Opwora declared.

Leopards who saw midfielder, Bernard Mang’oli and right-back Edwin Wafula become the latest players to ditch the club to GOtv Shield Champions Bandari, are yet to kick-off their pre-season.

Other players whose contract expired last December are winger, Timonah Wanyonyi as well as defenders Ivan Anguyo and Martin Kiiza who are all seeking a new club.

Xavier told Capital Sport it will be a tall order to get the club back to its feet if there is no sponsor since the recruitment exercise alone requires Sh4m after the mass exodus of players.

“I have resigned as Leopards Team Manager because the club is divided. I’m dealing with people who don’t have communication. We were told to go to RTI and conduct trials but others were holding theirs at Marist.

“I’m saddened with the ongoing wrangles that are going on, I have advised them but they have refused to hear. The IMC will not do the job because there is no unity. One faction is fighting within themselves so it’s difficult to work with such people,” Xavier, a former Ingwe player underscored.

“It could only work if the IMC was financially stable. Akwana and I decided to stay with the team when everybody decamped hoping things would be better but instead it’s getting worse.”

The IMC which consist of five members each from the warring groups will be led by Opwora and Mule for four months, thereafter the club will elect new office bearers in May.

Morris Osundwa will be the Secretary General, Peter Lichungu and Noah Wanyama will both serve as Organising Secretaries while members include Asava Kadima, Suleimana Angulu, Douglas Simiyu, Steven Mungo and Magwa.

The post Divided Den hold parallel Trials as Koops returns appeared first on Capital Sports.

Gor Mahia’s Mehdie Kagere celebrates his equaliser against Mathare United on Sunday, July 12. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, January 7 – Just moments after champions Gor Mahia announced they had parted ways with Meddie Kagere, the Ugandan-born former Rwandan striker has asked the club to give him two days to make a final decision.

On Friday, K’Ogalo posted on their official website that the deal failed to materialize after the influential forward asked for a substantial amount which the three-peat champions said they could not meet.

“We failed to agree on the big amount of money he (Kagere) was asking but a few minutes ago he contacted us asking to be given two days to make his final decision,” Gor assistant Secretary General, Ronald Ngala told Capital Sport.

It will be a big blow to the 2015 unbeaten SportPesa Premier League (SPL) winners if Kagere officially leaves after playing an integral part last season that saw K’Ogalo write history to become the most successful club in Kenya.

Club chairman, Ambrose Rachier earlier confirmed they will not be renewing Kagere’s contract after the two parties failed to reach to an agreement.

However, they could go back to the drawing board in the next two days when the forward return to make his final decision.

“We have tried our best to negotiate with Meddie Kagere but it’s quite unfortunate we will not be able to renew his contract because we can’t meet his high demands,” Rachier who also doubles up as the SPL chairman told the club’s website.

Ngala added, “We did not come to an agreement with him so we may not have him.”

Kagere who joined Gor last season on a one-year- deal was not included in the 21-man squad submitted to CAF for the continental assignment where they will take on Madagascans, CNaPS in the Champions League preliminary round.

Gor are looking at adding two more players a striker and a center-back after losing hopes of signing former Al Al-Taawoun FC defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng.

“We were interested in signing Ochieng (David) but he kept us waiting for long,” Ngala underscored.

The team began their pre-season on Friday with head coach, Frank Nuttall expected to link up with the team after breaking for holiday.

K’Ogalo are expected to depart for Ethiopia on Tuesday next week to compete in the St. Georges 80th anniversary tournament.

The post Kagere to decide his future at Gor in 48hrs appeared first on Capital Sports.

Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama has 18 months left on his contract

UNITED KINGDOM, January 8 – Kenyan Victor Wanyama is considering his Southampton future but will not push for a move away from the club this month, according to Sky sources.

The 24-year-old, who is currently serving a two-match ban for the red card he received against Norwich, has 18 months left on his contract at St Mary’s.

It is understood Tottenham, who tried to sign the midfielder last summer, Arsenal and Manchester United are monitoring his situation.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman has insisted both Wanyama and Sadio Mane are committed to the club, despite transfer rumours.

Koeman has already said he will banish any player to the stands if he chased a move away from the club.

“The players know their position in the club and what we think of the players, I don’t have doubt about that,” he said.

“If there is any player who thinks if his behaviour is not good that makes it easier for him, then I will put the player in the stands until the end of the contract because that’s not the way you do your job as a footballer.”

-By Sky Sports

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